Eye on O.C.: Strike a pose, make a bid

May 13, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 12:28 p.m.

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Pat Calderone of the Assistance League Huntington Beach flashes a smile as she walks the runway during the Assistance League's "Treasures by the Sea" luncheon and fashion show. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Assisteens auxiliary of the Assistance League Huntington Beach for high school students, twins Lisa and Sarah Beisswanger walk down the runway together during the Assistance League's luncheon "Treasures by the Sea" fashion show. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Claudia Martinic of the Assistance League throws her arms up in celebration after getting the winning bid of $3,750 for charity for a trip to Chicago during the live auction. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Diane Nicastri, Assistance League Huntington Beach member, smiles as she shows off her outfit on the runway during the Assistance League's "Treasures by the Sea" luncheon and fashion show. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Vicki Nierlich, chairwoman of Assistance League Huntington Beach and member and DreamCatchers Auxiliary in 2011 and 2012, walks the runway during the Assistance League's luncheon "Treasures by the Sea" fashion show. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Resa Evans, long time member and major donor to the Assistance League of Huntington Beach, takes the stage during the Assistance League of Huntington Beach "Treasures by the Sea" luncheon and fashion show at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Teddy bears donated by Beverly Lewis Clarke of Lucky Plush Toys decorate the center of each table for the Assistance League Huntington Beach's "Treasures by the Sea" held at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. Clarke donated 75 bears for the luncheon. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Resa Evans, a long time member and major donor to the Assistance League of Huntington Beach, walks the runway during the "Treasures by the Sea" luncheon andfashion show held at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Jeanne Baird, chairwoman of the board for El Viento; from left, Louise Upham, past president of the board for El Viento Foundation; Ellen Shockro, co-founder of El Viento Foundation; and Colleen Mensel, chief executive officer of El Viento Foundation and member of Assistance League Huntington Beach attend the Assistance League's "Treasures by the Sea." STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Barbara Delgleize, member of Assistance League advisory board and donor; from left, Huntington Beach mayor Connie Boardman and Joe Carchio, city councilman and former mayor of Huntington Beach, attend the Assistance League's "Treasures by the Sea" at the Huntington Beach Hyatt Regency. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Assistance League Huntington Beach member Pat Calderone turns on the runway during the "Treasures by the Sea" luncheon and fashion show. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Mike McCormick of Huntington Beach looks the other way as his wife, Susan McCormick, kept raising the bid during the live auction for the Assistance League of Huntington Beach luncheon "Treasures by the Sea." STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Jennifer Shepard, assistant superintendent of Educational Services in the Huntington Beach School District, from left, with John Vollaire and his wife Suzanne Vollaire, member of the Assistance League. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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U.S. Marine Corps. Staff Sgt. Brandon Luterick encourages the crowd to bid after offering himself to the highest bidder for dinner and a movie for charity during the live auction for the Assistance League of Huntington Beach. Louise Settino Sobieski of Mission Viejo was the highest bidder with $2,000. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Sandra Carter, from left, Nora Greenwood, fundraiser chair and a past president of the Assistance League of Huntington Beach, Julie Ustin and Brice Williams attend the Assistance League's "Treasures by the Sea" fundraising event. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Brandon Luterick, from left, put himself up for live auction offering dinner and a movie to the highest bidder. Staff Sgt. Daniel Jagears and Staff Sgt. Fredy Velasquez help encourage the bidding. Louise Settino Sobieski of Mission Viejo had the winning bid of $2,000 that goes to Assistance League programs and services. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Peggy Piechota, 2002-2003 president of Assistance League Huntington Beach and member since 1986, displays her outfit as she walks the runway during the Assistance League's luncheon "Treasures by the Sea" fashion show. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Attending the Assistance League's "Treasures by the Sea" are U.S. Marine Corps. Staff Sgt. Fredy Velasquez and Candice Velasquez flank their grandmother Doris Kennedy, Assistance League of Huntington Beach's president-elect. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Louise Settino Sobieski of Mission Viejo gets a hug from U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Brandon Luterick after her winning bid of $2,000 for charity earned her dinner and a movie during the live auction for the Assistance League of Huntington Beach. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

Pat Calderone of the Assistance League Huntington Beach flashes a smile as she walks the runway during the Assistance League's "Treasures by the Sea" luncheon and fashion show. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

One by one, they strut down the walkway. Pose to the right, pose to the left. Dressed in bright colors, the ladies of the Assistance League of Huntington Beach showed off the latest fashions from Chico's at the 2013 Treasures by the Sea, a fundraiser for Assistance League programs and services.

Held at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, the day was a flurry of activity with 680 guests. Along with the fashion show, attendees bid on live and silent auction items. The silent auction room was filled with rows of tables and an assortment of items including gift baskets, paintings and bottles of wine.

"I was hugely impressed on how well it was organized and the variety of silent auction items – I just loved it," said Karen Brandhorst of Redondo Beach, commenting on the event, which netted $190,000.

The participants then headed to a large ballroom for lunch and mingled before the start of the live auction. Those attending included elected officials such as Huntington Beach Mayor Connie Boardman and representatives from programs supported by the Assistance League, like Colleen Mensel of the El Viento Foundation and Jennifer Shepard of the Huntington Beach City School District.

"The Assistance League is so supportive," said Margie Bunten, director of foundation and community relations at Golden West College. "There's no other group like them."

The live auction soon took place with event chairwoman Nora Greenwood on hand; popular items included a trip to the Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards and Winery (winning bid, $3,900) and a vacation stay in Hawaii ($3,300).

"It's a fun experience," said Fredy Velasquez, who attended to support his grandmother, organization President-elect Doris Kennedy. "I have kids of my own, so the idea of helping others really touches base with me."

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